UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new Brexit proposal was welcomed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker welcomed as “positive advances”. But the Commission noted in a statement that “there are still some problematic points that will need further work in the coming days, notably with regards to the governance of the backstop.” it added “the EU wants a deal. We remain united and ready to work 24/7 to make this happen – as we have been for over three years now.”
However, Guy Verhofstadt, European Parliament’s Brexit coordinator, said “the first reaction of the Brexit Steering Group was not positive, not positive in the sense that we don’t think that this is really the safeguards that Ireland needs”. The group will set out a more detailed response on Thursday.
On the other hand, UK Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove noted that some lawmakers from the most pro-Brexit wing of the ruling Conservatives and some opposition Labour lawmakers have signaled their backing for Johnson’s new proposal. Northern Ireland’s DUP also welcomed the plan. Gove said, “That seems to me to be a pretty solid majority.”
